d_p_pank’s BodyBlog

Excuse my beard, but it’s playoff time! I am raising money for the Mario Lemieux Foundation so pledge my beard at Penguins - https://www.beardathon.com/penguins/pledge-a-pank.aspx.

 Sorry if this seems tacky, you’re not a hockey fan, you hate the Penguins or whatever, but I just couldn’t resist the temptation to not shave possibly until Mid-June.

I love the heat! Now for my body to adapt to wearing shorts in 80 degree weather instead of 50 degree weather. I was overheating in spinning class this morning since somebody forgot how to flip the switch from heat to AC.

I did have a pretty good plan this week. I hit all the major body parts. I started to run/sprint a little bit to start the sport specific movements. I’ve done some ball work without my functional brace and I started working with my kids on the field. Progress is coming along, still upset I had to skip the annual alumni vs old college team game this weekend. I’m ok dealing with 10 year olds at less than 100percent but don’t want to try college athletes yet.

Spring is here which means my alergies are kicking my butt. Drugs and long showers help, but my eyes still look bad. I do love my Oakley’s right now because the stay on my face so I don’t itch.

Today will be easy. Chest/tris and a little cardio while watching the caps and rangers beat up each other. I’m happy that I can continue to grow my playoff beard now that the pens made it into round 2. I must say at the 2 minute mark in the game yesterday my heart rate was pumping as high as when I was in spinning class. Who says watching a game isn’t a workout.

Note to self, never push mind to think I can run a marathon.

Due to prior committments I missed game two of the Flyers v Pens last night. I did check in periodically for the score. I’m not sure what I did before smart phones.

Anyhow this morning is marathon time in this town and the Gold’s doesn’t open for another 30 minutes. I’m dying since driving through town is impossible due to the route. The best part is I promised myself I would try to eat and drink like a normal person for the day. This will be the true challenge.

I did survive the weekend eating OK, enjoying southern style food, and jumping around to my favorite band. Including the songs that give me the chills everytime I hear them live.

Nothing like seeing a band in their own hometown with all their friends joining them on stage. I can’t wait to hear the new cd. I’m dying to figure out spaceman and I’m hooked on the new songs.

Yep it’s officially spring. My razor gets a break again, no morning shave as I support my team. Game 1 just ended. I fit in my weights and a spin class today before chilling for the game. It was nice to see us take game 1. I feel less pressure now since I sold my tix to game 2.

My kids were welcomed back to practice last night in the rain and muck with me breaking them into two groups. I have a group of kids that never learned the be agressive, keep an eye on the ball and strike the ball like you want it to fly through the back of the net. I get to give them a little extra time at practice to develop that ability. FUN! The good news is I have another coach who can help me push my other group to do more game day oriented drills. The bad news is I’m going to stick to this same format tomorrow night.

The gym is coming together again as I’ve worked through the back pain that started at Easter Sunday church services. Those wooden seats don’t do my back any good.

Here’s to good food tomorrow as we celebrate a coworker who is retiring after 41 years of service to my company.

Back to the grind tomorrow.

I love snow in April. I love the fact that this week is Easter and I don’t have to prepare my team for a game this Sunday, for that reason I decided it was time to take a week off from structured practice.

I know you ask why would I give a bunch of 10 and 11 year olds a week off from practice, but I realized we hadn’t really taken a break since the end of January. The fields also needed a week off after last weeks rain and the snow the other day. I’m also looking forward to the fact that next week I can start coaching long term technique instead of how to just scrape a win out of the first week of the season.

Personally, I’m elated to be off the on call cycle from work. I’ve been able to get at least 40 minutes of cardio everyday now since Sunday. Yipee! Hopefully this week I can keep that streak up as I’m already preparing myself for Easter Dinner. Add to that a few concerts next week and I really should allow myself to take it EZ. Starting next Monday!

Winter is pretty much gone now, as tomorrow is the last home regular season game for the Pens. I’m sad because now all my ticket prices will go up with each round of the playoffs. I’m glad because we again are going to the playoffs.

Time to get some sleep, need to try to knock the cardio out in the morning so I don’t feel like a slacker when I’m sitting at the game.

Note to self, living in Pittsburgh makes me loathe the start of baseball season. I hate the Pirates and everything they now stand for being a baseball fan. Opening day excitement for me means my kids will be playing their first outdoor soccer game today and I get to see how well I’ve prepared them. Goal one is to make sure everybody plays multiple positions so I develop them as footballers and not just make sure they win every game. Goal two is to get my kids who are less than superstars to score one goal per game this season. Goal three is to get my goalkeeper to start leading my team vocally.

OK now that I got through that I had a pretty decent week last week. I’m on the lose one pound per week program. I am following Weight Watchers at work since I’ve got my work place partially subsidizing the program and I’m doing lots of veggies and fruits made in my kitchen thanks to the people at www.goodapples.org. If you live in the tri-state region around the Strip District it rocks! No more grocery store for me!

I did make spinning and I’m doing some functional training so eventually I’ll be able to play as I coach. I’m also ramping up my weights on back and chest days. Next step is to start my plyometric type training to get my legs ready to play as I coach.

Anyhow time to get to the gym to kick out a quick chest workout before coaching today.